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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (September 18) unanimously approved the One Nation One Election proposal paving the way for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. The Cabinet has accepted the report submitted by the panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The Bill is likely to be introduced in the Parliament in the upcoming winter session.
Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw said a large number of parties have supported simultaneous polls. "We will seek to create a consensus over the next few months, " Vaishnaw. He said an implementation group will be formed to take forward recommendations of Kovind-led panel on simultaneous polls.
He added that the panel's recommendations will be discussed across India on various fora. On September 17, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the BJP-led NDA government will implement the 'one nation, one election' in this tenure. "We plan to implement one nation one poll within the tenure of this government," Shah had stated.
One Nation, One Election: All you need to know One Nation, One Election aims to synchronise elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and other local bodies, thereby saving public funds, reducing election fatigue, and ensuring uninterrupted governance and development. The committee proposes a phased implementation of simultaneous elections. Initially, elections will be synchronised for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
Subsequently, elections for Municipalities and Panchayats will align with the Lok Sabha and State Assembly polls. In March this year, Kovind submitted the report, spanning 18,626 pages, to President Draupadi Murmu. It is the culmination of rigorous consultations, expert opinions, and research conducted over 191 days since its inception on September 2, 2023.
The report said 47 political parties submitted their views and suggestions in which 32 parties backed simultaneous elections. Another 21,558 responses were received from citizens across the country and 80% of respondents supported simultaneous elections. The views of four former chief justices of India, 12 former chief justices of major high courts, four former chief election commissioners and the election commission were sought.
Oppn reaction Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge opposed the proposal. "It is not practical, they raise such issues to divert attention when elections come." The party added that it would oppose the Bill in the Parliament.
The Trinamool Congress termed it a cheap stunt by the BJP. "Why were Maharashtra elections not announced along with elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir? Here's why. The Maharashtra government announced the Ladki Bahin scheme in the budget this June.
The first tranche reached the bank accounts of women in August and second tranche will reach beneficiaries in October. You cannot do three states in one go and you talk about ONOE. And also tell us, how many constitutional amendments, including curtailing or extending terms of state assemblies, will be done! Classic Modi-Shah Jumla," TMC MP Derek O' Brien said.
Kovind-led panel The eight-member committee include Amit Shah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, NK Singh, Subhash C Kashyap, Harish Salve and Sanjay Kothari. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal attended the committee meetings as a special invitee, while Law Secretary Niten Chandra was the secretary to the panel. The Lok Sabha and Assembly polls were held together in the country till 1967.
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